Licence bolsters South Sudan fibre ambitions
Bayobab Infra Solutions, the infrastructure arm of MTN, has received a 15-year National Communications Authority licence to build, install and run fibre networks across South Sudan. The permit, issued on 16 October, covers both terrestrial and satellite systems.
Project East 2 West gets fresh momentum
Chief Executive Mazen Mroué called the licence “a pivotal step” for Project East 2 West, the US$320 million programme Bayobab launched with Africa50 in 2023. The corridor aims to link ten countries from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic, reinforcing redundancy across the continent.
Bridging the digital divide in Juba and beyond
Local authorities believe the new backbone will stimulate enterprise, lower connectivity costs and extend internet access to rural communities. Bayobab says the fibre ring will also facilitate e-government platforms, fintech services and online education, accelerating South Sudan’s economic diversification.
MTN’s wider strategy in the young nation
The award follows MTN South Sudan’s renewal of its mobile operator licence earlier this year, replacing a pre-independence permit originally granted by Sudan. Together, the spectrum and fibre authorisations consolidate the group’s long-term position in the Juba market.
Ripples across East and Central African corridors
Cross-border links planned from South Sudan will dovetail with networks in Ethiopia, Kenya and the Republic of the Congo, creating alternative routes for international traffic. Analysts note that diversified paths can shield landlocked economies from single-cable outages and attract data-centric investment.